Yesterday, Penn State students did much to overcome the barriers and fulfill the promise.

As part of the sixteenth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day national holiday, many students participated in service projects that were designed to help the community while spreading King's message.

Students participated in such activities as building bird feeders and squirrel boxes with Centre Wildlife Care, volunteer work at Cedar Building Childcare and a minority blood drive sponsored by the Student Red Cross.

"The service activities are a good thing, because though they're not directly about Martin Luther King Jr., we're remembering him by acting on his visions, and that is what he would want us to do," said Meliza Fermin (sophomore-graphic design), a student staff member at the Paul Robeson Center.

Students were able to donate as little or as much of their time as they were able. This year was the first year students were able to be excused from class in order to participate in the service-oriented events.

And there were plenty to choose from. All day long, in addition to the day of service, students had the opportunity to visit www.lionaid.com. For every visitor yesterday, the State College Food Bank received a donation.

There were plenty of other events on campus yesterday that had students talking. Films were shown throughout the day and there was a commemorative bell ringing ceremony at Old Main.

"I attended the 'Color Me Human' event," said Fermin. The event was one in which students talked about their personal experiences with diversity at Penn State. "We were discussing multiculturalism on campus and how we shouldn't be ashamed of who we are."

"There wasn't much turnout at the event, which further shows that there is a problem on campus," she added.

After last semester's racially-motivated hate acts, many on campus looked toward Martin Luther King Jr. Day to help to bring students together under a common goal.

According to the Undergraduate Student Government's Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative Web site, "The Day of Service seeks to bring students from all walks of life and interests together in a positive way to celebrate one of the most inspirational leaders of our time . . . In the end, we all will have participated in a day that was fun, educational, and celebrated the diversity that makes us all valuable students and citizens."

The culmination of these projects was at a celebration last night in Rec Hall, with performances by NOMMO, No Refund Theatre, the Filipino Association and Orchesis Dance Company. The keynote speaker for the main event was Henry Giroux, Waterbury Chair Professor of Education at Penn State.

Giroux spoke mainly of racial stereotypes, generalizations and inequalities as he addressed the crowd. "We face losing a generation of young people," he said, "mostly due to racial intolerances."

He went on to discuss what appropriate actions could be taken — actions in keeping with Martin Luther King Jr.'s peaceful message.

"On this day, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s passion for serving others and (his) conviction to nonviolence. It is our hope to foster the university's mission of service by embracing our diversity and serving together. In unity, we celebrate a great man's vision for all people, and strive to live his dream of true community each day of our lives," read the mission statement for the Day of Service distributed at the event.

Students felt strongly about the day of service.

"Martin Luther King Jr. Day is all about remembering the things that he did to make everybody one. The service is a grander part of the remembering," said Fermin.

This is the second year that Penn State has participated in a day of service.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve . . . you only need a heart full of grace."